Disc valve

ABSTRACT

A disk valve comprises an inlet port, an outlet port, a first disk provided with a first through hole communicating with the inlet port and extending axially and a second through hole communicating with the outlet port and extending axially, and a second disk provided with a concave capable of communicating with the first through hole and the second through hole of the first disk on one end face and slidably and movably contacting one end face of the first disk at the one end face. A closed space is formed radially outside the second disk, and the second disk slides relative to the first disk to adjust the degree of overlap between the concave of the second disk and the first through hole of the first disk. The slidably and movably contacting part between the first disk and the second disk is self-lubricated. The disk valve further comprises a communication passage for always placing the first through hole into communication with the closed space radially outside the second disk. A portion of the one end face of the first disk adjacent to the part slidably and movably contacting the second disk opposes the closed space

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a disk valve suitable for use in singlelever water combination faucets, water faucets, or the like.

BACKGROUND ART

There have been used disk valves for single lever water combinationfaucets, water faucets, or the like, comprising an inlet port, an outletport, a first disk provided with a first through hole communicating withthe inlet port and extending axially and a second through holecommunicating with the outlet port and extending axially, and a seconddisk provided with a concave capable of communicating with the firstthrough hole and the second through hole of the first disk on one endface and slidably and movably contacting one end face of the first diskat the one end face, wherein a closed space is formed radially outsidethe second disk, and the second disk slides relative to the first diskto adjust the degree of overlap between the concave of the second diskand the first through hole of the first disk.

In conventional disk valves, the slidably and movably contacting partbetween the first disk and the second disk is lubricated by oil such assilicon grease, or the like.

The conventional disk valves have a disadvantage in that oil adhered tothe slidably and movably contacting part is carried away by waterflowing from the first through hole of the first disk to the secondthrough hole of the first disk through the concave of the second disk toslightly disperse into water discharging from the disk valve, therebygradually being diminished to cause poor maneuverability of the diskvalves.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a disk valve comprisingan inlet port, an outlet port, a first disk provided with a firstthrough hole communicating with the inlet port and extending axially anda second through hole communicating with the outlet port and extendingaxially, and a second disk provided with a concave capable ofcommunicating with the first through hole and the second through hole ofthe first disk on one end face and slidably and movably contacting oneend face of the first disk at the one end face, wherein a closed spaceis formed radially outside the second disk, and the second disk slidesrelative to the first disk to adjust the degree of overlap between theconcave of the second disk and the first through hole of the first disk,and wherein dispersion of the oil into the discharging water issuppressed and good maneuverability is maintained for a long time.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a disk valvecomprising an inlet port, an outlet port, a first disk provided with afirst through hole communicating with the inlet port and extendingaxially and a second through hole communicating with the outlet port andextending axially, and a second disk provided with a concave capable ofcommunicating with the first through hole and the second through hole ofthe first disk on one end face and slidably and movably contacting oneend face of the first disk at the one end face, wherein a closed spaceis formed radially outside the second disk, and the second disk slidesrelative to the first disk to adjust the degree of overlap between theconcave of the second disk and the first through hole of the first disk,and wherein the slidably and movably contacting part between the firstdisk and the second disk is self-lubricated, further comprising acommunication passage for always placing the first through hole intocommunication with the closed space radially outside the second disk,and wherein a portion of the one end face of the first disk adjacent tothe part slidably and movably contacting the second disk opposes theclosed space.

In the disk valve of the present invention, no oil is necessary forlubricating the slidably and movably contacting part between the firstdisk and the second disk because the contacting part is self-lubricated.Therefore, dispersing of oil into discharging water is suppressed.

The slidably and movably contacting part is self-lubricated when coveredby a water film. In the disk valve of the present invention, the part ofthe one end face of the first disk opposing the closed space radiallyoutside the second disk always contacts water because the closed spaceradially outside the second disk always communicating with the firstthrough hole through the communication passage is always filled up withwater. Therefore, at the same time as the second disk slides relative tothe first disk, the slidably and movably contacting part between thefirst disk and the second disk is covered by a water film andself-lubricated.

When the disk valve is kept in closed condition for a long time, thesliding resistance when the second disk starts to slide relative to thefirst disk might be expected to increase if the water film covering theslidably and movably contacting part should be diminished by drying. Inthe disk valve of the present invention, however, the increase of thesliding resistance is prevented for the following reason. The first diskis always forced against the second disk by the primary pressure, i.e.the pressure upstream side of the disk valve. In the disk valve of thepresent invention, the primary pressure always works on the part of theend face of the first disk opposing the closed space to force the firstdisk away from the second disk, thereby decreasing the load acting onthe slidably and movably contacting part between the first disk and thesecond disk. Therefore, even if the slidably and movably contacting partlacks a water film when the second disk starts to slide relative to thefirst disk, the increase of sliding resistance is suppressed, and thesecond disk can easily slide relative to the first disk.

In the disk valve of the present invention, good maneuverability ismaintained for a long time because the second disk can easily start toslide relative to the first disk, and the slidably and movablycontacting part is covered by a water film to be self-lubricated at thesame time as the second disk starts to slide relative to the first disk.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communicationpassage is a groove formed on the one end face of the first disk.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communicationpassage is a part of the first through hole formed in the first disk.

It is possible to place the first through hole into continuouscommunication with the closed space through a groove formed on the oneend face of the first disk. It is also possible to place a part of thefirst through hole into direct continuous communication with the closedspace.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the disk valvefurther comprises an annular third disk slidably and movably contactingthe other end face of the second disk at one end face, the second diskcontacts the third disk to always cover the central opening of the thirddisk and slides relative to the third disk, the slidably and movablycontacting part between the second disk and the third disk isself-lubricated, and a part of the one end face of the third diskadjacent to the part slidably and movably contacting the second diskopposes the closed space.

When a space formed between the first disk and the third disk andradially outside the second disk is the closed space alwayscommunicating with the first through hole, the closed space can beeasily sealed.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a diskvalve comprising an inlet port, an outlet port, a first disk providedwith a first through hole communicating with the inlet port andextending axially and a second through hole communicating with theoutlet port and extending axially, and a second disk provided with aconcave capable of communicating with the first through hole and thesecond through hole of the first disk on one end face and slidably andmovably contacting one end face of the first disk at the one end face,wherein a closed space is formed radially outside the second disk, andthe second disk slides relative to the first disk to adjust the degreeof overlap between the concave of the second disk and the first throughhole of the first disk, further comprising an annular third diskslidably and movably contacting the other end face of the second disk atone end face, wherein the second disk contacts the third disk to alwayscover the central opening of the third disk and slides relative to thethird disk, the slidably and movably contacting part between the firstdisk and the second disk and the slidably and movably contacting partbetween the second disk and third disk are self-lubricated, a portion ofthe one end face of the first disk adjacent to the part slidably andmovably contacting the second disk and a portion of the one end face ofthe third disk adjacent to the part slidably and movably contacting thesecond disk oppose the closed space, and a communication passage isformed in the side wall of the concave of the second disk to place theconcave into communication with the closed space.

In the disk valve of the present invention, water flows into the closedspace to be stored in the closed space when the concave of the seconddisk communicates with the first through hole of the first disk. Thewater stored in the closed space wets the portion of the one end face ofthe first disk opposing the closed space and the portion of the one endface of the third disk opposing the closed space. Thus, at the same timeas the second disk slides relative to the first disk and the third disk,the slidably and movably contacting part between the first disk and thesecond disk and the slidably and movably contacting part between thesecond disk and the third disk are covered by water films andself-lubricated. When the disk valve is kept in closed condition for along time, the water stored in the closed space discharges from the diskvalve through the communication passage formed in the side wall of theconcave of the second disk, the concave of the second disk, the secondthrough hole of the first disk and the outlet port. However, the watercan be retained in the closed space by decreasing the cross sectionalarea of the communication passage formed in the side wall of the concaveof the second disk. Thus, the portion of the one end face of the firstdisk opposing the closed space and the portion of the one end face ofthe third disk opposing the closed space can be kept wet.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the disk valvefurther comprises a lever that passes through the central opening of thethird disk to engage the second disk and a casing for accommodating thefirst disk, second disk and the third disk, wherein a second closedspace is formed in the casing adjacent to the closed space radiallyoutside the second disk and separated from the closed space radiallyoutside the second disk by the second disk and the third disk, andfurther comprises an oil supply passage for placing the second closedspace into communication with the open space outside the casing.

When the second closed space is filled with oil such as silicon grease,the oil is fed to the slidably and movably contacting part between thesecond disk and the third disk through the central opening of the thirddisk to increase smoothness of sliding movement of the second diskrelative to the third disk, thereby enhancing maneuverability of thewater faucet incorporating the disk valve of the present invention. Thehigh maneuverability of the water faucet can be maintained for a longtime by supplying the second closed space with oil through the oilsupply passage.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the oil supplypassage is formed in a portion of the disk valve exposed to the spaceoutside a faucet body with which the disk valve is assembled.

When the oil supply passage is formed in a portion of the disk valveexposed to the space outside a faucet body with which the disk valve isassembled, oil can be supplied into the casing from the space outsidethe casing through the oil supply passage without taking the disk valveout of the faucet body.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inlet port isprovided with a hot water inlet port and a cool water inlet port whichare independent of each other, the first through hole of the first diskis provided with a hole communicating with the hot water inlet port anda hole communicating with the cool water inlet port, the concave of thesecond disk is capable of communicating with the hole of the first diskcommunicating with the hot water inlet port and the hole of the firstdisk communicating with the cool water inlet port, the second diskslides relative to the first disk to adjust the degree of overlapbetween the concave of the second disk and the hole of the first diskcommunicating with the hot water inlet port and the degree of overlapbetween the concave of the second disk and the hole of the first diskcommunicating with the cool water inlet port, and the communicationpassage for placing the first through hole of the first disk intocommunication with the closed space radially outside the second diskplaces the hole of the first disk communicating with the hot water inletport and/or the hole of the first disk communicating with the cool waterinlet port into communication with the closed space radially outside thesecond disk.

The disk valve having the aforementioned structure can be used in asingle lever water combination faucet.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a waterfaucet comprising any one of the aforementioned disk valves.

A water faucet comprising any one of the aforementioned disk valves cansuppress the dispersion of oil into the discharging water and keep highmaneuverability for a long time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a set of structural views of a disk valve in accordance withthe first preferred embodiment of the present invention. (a) is alongitudinal sectional view and (b) is a view in the direction of arrowsb-b in (a). The portion of (a) below the arrows b-b is a sectional viewtaken along zigzag line a-a in (b).

FIG. 2 is a set of structural views of the disk valve in accordance withthe first preferred embodiment of the present invention. (a) is alongitudinal sectional view and (b), (c) and (d) are views in thedirection of arrows b-b in (a). The portion of (a) below the arrows b-bis a sectional view taken along zigzag line a-a in (b).

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a disk valve in accordancewith the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Theportion below the arrows b-b is a sectional view taken along zigzag linesimilar to that in FIG. 1(a).

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the disk valve in accordancewith the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a disk valve in accordancewith the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Theportion below the arrows b-b is a sectional view taken along zigzag linesimilar to that in FIG. 2(a).

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a variation of the disk valve inaccordance with the second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a variation of the disk valve inaccordance with the second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A disk valve in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a disk valve A comprises a cylindricalcartridge case 1 made of synthetic resin and provided with a largediameter portion and a small diameter portion, and a disk-shaped packingguide 2 made of synthetic resin and fitted in and fixed to the end ofthe large diameter portion of the cartridge case 1. An O-ring 3 sealsthe contacting part between the inner circumferential surface of thecartridge case 1 and the outer circumferential surface of the packingguide 2. A hot water inlet port 2 a, a cool water inlet port 2 b and amixed water outlet port 2 c are formed in the packing guide 2independently of each other to penetrate the packing guide 2 axially. Agasket 4 is fitted in the packing guide 2 to seal the connectionsbetween the hot water inlet port 2 a, the cool water inlet port 2 b, themixed water outlet port 2 c and a hot water inlet port, a cool waterinlet port and a mixed water outlet port of a faucet body not shown infigures.

A disk-shaped first disk 5 made of ceramic is disposed in the cartridgecase 1 to be fitted in and fixed to the packing guide 2. A first throughhole 5 a, a second through hole 5 b and a third through hole 5 c areformed in the first disk 5 independently of each other to extend in theaxial direction, thereby communicating with the hot water inlet port 2a, the cool water inlet port 2 b and the mixed water outlet port 2 c,respectively. The first disk 5 is provided with a groove 5 d at one endface 5′ distanced from the packing guide 2. The groove 5 d extends fromthe first through hole 5 a to the outer peripheral portion of the endface 5′. The end face 5′ is mirror finished. A gasket 6 is disposed toseal the communicating parts between the first through hole 5 a, thesecond through hole 5 b, the third through hole 5 c and the hot waterinlet port 2 a, the cool water inlet port 2 b, the mixed water outletport 2 c.

An oval-shaped second disk 7 made of ceramic is disposed in thecartridge case 1. The second disk 7 slidably and movably contacts themirror finished end face 5′ of the first disk 5 at a mirror finished oneend face 7′. The end face 7′ is coated with a self-lubricating materialsuch as DLC (diamond like carbon). The end face 7′ is provided with aconcave 7 a capable of communicating with the first through hole 5 a,the second through hole 5 b and the third through hole 5 c of the firstdisk 5.

A gripper 8 made of synthetic resin is disposed in the cartridge case 1.The gripper 8 grips the other end face of the second disk 7 to beassembled with the second disk 7 as a unitary body, thereby forming apart of the second disk 7. The gripper 8 is provided with a boss 8 a atone end face distanced from the second disk 7.

A lever 9 made of metal or synthetic resin is inserted in the cartridgecase 1 through the end of the small diameter portion of the cartridgecase 1. The lever 9 is provided with a spherical bulge 9 a at theportion penetrating the end of the small diameter portion of thecartridge case 1. A lever guide 10 is disposed in the cartridge case 1.The spherical bulge 9 a slidably and movably contacts the lever guide10. The lever guide 10 supports the spherical bulge 9 a to allow thespherical bulge 9 a to rotate three dimensionally around the ball centerO. A gasket 11 is disposed to seal the end of the small diameter portionof the cartridge case 1 penetrated by the lever 9.

One end of the lever 9 inserted in the cartridge case 1 forms asemi-spherical bulge 9 b. The semi-spherical bulge 9 b is inserted inthe boss 8 a of the gripper 8. The semi-spherical bulge 9 b is providedwith a V-shaped groove 9 c at a cut surface forming an end face of thelever 9. The bottom of the V-shaped groove 9 c engages a pin 12. The pin12 crosses the central axis X of the boss 8 a at right angles andpenetrates the boss 8 a. The pin 12 extends through the ball center O′of the semi-spherical bulge 9 b. A gasket 13 fits in the boss 8 a. Thesemi-spherical bulge 9 b slidably and movably contacts the gasket 13.

A closed space 14 is formed radially outside the second disk 7. Theclosed space 14 extends close to the spherical bulge 9 a of the lever 9.The first through hole 5 a always communicates with the closed space 14through the groove 5 d formed on the end face 5′ of the first disk 5.

Operation of the disk valve A will be described.

In the condition shown in FIG. 1, the concave 7 a communicates with thethird through hole 5 c, but does not communicate either the firstthrough hole 5 a or the second through hole 5 b. The first through hole5 a, the second through hole 5 b and the third through hole 5 c areclosed by the second disk 7. Hot water supplied from the hot water inletport of the faucet body to the first through hole 5 a flows into theclosed space 14 always communicating with the first through hole 5 athrough the groove 5 d to fill up the closed space 14 with the hotwater. The part of the end face 5′ opposing the closed space 14 alwayscontacts water.

The mirror finished end face 5′ tightly contacts the mirror finished endface 7′ to seal the slidably and movably contacting part between thefirst disk 5 and the second disk 7. The hot water charged in the firstthrough hole 5 a and the closed space 14 and the cool water charged inthe second through hole 5 b do not flow into the third through hole 5 c.Therefore, mixed water does not discharge from the disk valve A into themixed water outlet port of the faucet body.

When the lever 9 rotates anticlockwise around an axis extendingperpendicularly to the drawing sheet to pass through the ball center Oin FIG. 1, the second disk 7 slides relative to the first disk 5, andthe disk valve A comes into the condition shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b).In said condition, the concave 7 a communicates with the first throughhole 5 a, the second through hole 5 b and the third through hole 5 c.The hot water supplied to the first through hole 5 a through the hotwater inlet port of the faucet body and the cool water supplied to thesecond through hole 5 b through the cool water inlet port of the faucetbody flow into the third through hole 5 c through the concave 7. Thus,mixed water discharges from the disk valve A into the mixed water outletport of the faucet body. The flow rate of the mixed water dischargingfrom the disk valve A into the mixed water outlet port of the faucetbody is controlled by controlling the rotating angle of the lever 9around the axis extending perpendicularly to the drawing sheet to passthrough the ball center O in FIG. 1.

When the lever 9 rotates around an axis X1 extending in parallel withthe axis X through the ball center O, the second disk 7 slidably rotatesrelative to the first disk 5, and the disk valve A comes into thecondition shown in FIG. 2(c). In said condition, the concave 7 acommunicates with the first through hole 5 a and the third through hole5 c. The hot water supplied to the first through hole 5 a through thehot water inlet port of the faucet body flows into the third throughhole 5 c through the concave 7. Thus, the hot water discharges from thedisk valve A into the mixed water outlet port of the faucet body.

When the lever 9 rotates around the axis X1 extending in parallel withthe axis X through the ball center O, the second disk 7 slidably rotatesrelative to the first disk 5, and the disk valve A comes into thecondition shown in FIG. 2(d). In said condition, the concave 7 acommunicates with the second through hole 5 b and the third through hole5 c. The cool water supplied to the second through hole 5 b through thecool water inlet port of the faucet body flows into the third throughhole 5 c through the concave 7. Thus, the cool water discharges from thedisk valve A into the mixed water outlet port of the faucet body.

When the rotating angle of the lever 9 around the axis X1 is controlled,the degree of overlap between the concave 7 a and the first through hole5 a is controlled and the degree of overlap between the concave 7 a andthe second through hole 5 b is controlled, whereby mixing ratio of hotwater and cool water is controlled to control the temperature of themixed water discharging from the disk valve A.

In the disk valve A, no oil is necessary for lubricating the slidablyand movably contacting part between the first disk 5 and the second disk7 because the end face 7′ is coated with a self-lubricating material andthe slidably and movably contacting part between the first disk 5 andthe second disk 7 is self-lubricated. Therefore, dispersing of oil intodischarging water is suppressed.

The slidably and movably contacting part between the first disk 5 andthe second disk 7 is self-lubricated when covered by a water film. Inthe disk valve A, the part of the end face 5′ opposing the closed space14 always contacts water because the closed space 14 alwayscommunicating with the first through hole 5 a through the groove 5 d isalways filled with the water. Therefore, at the same time as the seconddisk 7 slides relative to the first disk 5, the slidably and movablycontacting part between the first disk 5 and the second disk 7 iscovered by a water film and self-lubricated. Therefore, a small forceapplied to the lever 9 can easily slide the second disk 7 relative tothe first disk 5.

When the disk valve A is kept in closed condition for a long time, thesliding resistance when the second disk 7 starts to slide relative tothe first disk 5 might be expected to increase if the water filmcovering the slidably and movably contacting part should be diminishedby drying. In the disk valve A, however, the increase of the slidingresistance is prevented for the following reason. The first disk 5 isalways forced against the second disk 7 by the primary pressure, i.e.the pressure upstream side of the disk valve. In the disk valve A, theprimary pressure also always works on the part of the end face 5′ of thefirst disk 5 opposing the closed space 14 to force the first disk 5 awayfrom the second disk 7, thereby decreasing the load acting on theslidably and movably contacting part between the first disk 5 and thesecond disk 7. Therefore, even if the slidably and movably contactingpart lacks a water film when the second disk 7 starts to slide relativeto the first disk 5, the increase of sliding resistance is suppressed,and the second disk 7 can easily slide relative to the first disk 5. Asa result, a small force applied to the lever 9 can easily slide thesecond disk 7 relative to the first disk 5.

In the disk valve A, good maneuverability is maintained for a long timebecause the second disk 7 can easily start to slide relative to thefirst disk 5, and the slidably and movably contacting part is covered bya water film to be self-lubricated at the same time as the second disk 7starts to slide relative to the first disk 5.

A disk valve in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of thepresent invention will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a disk valve B comprises a cylindricalcartridge case 21 made of synthetic resin and provided with a largediameter portion and a small diameter portion, and a disk-shaped packingguide 22 made of synthetic resin and fitted in and fixed to the end ofthe large diameter portion of the cartridge case 21. An O-ring 23 sealsthe contacting part between the inner circumferential surface of thecartridge case 21 and the outer circumferential surface of the packingguide 22. A hot water inlet port 22 a, a cool water inlet port 22 b anda mixed water outlet port 22 c are formed in the packing guide 22independently of each other to penetrate the packing guide 22 axially. Agasket 24 is fitted in the packing guide 22 to seal the connectionsbetween the hot water inlet port 22 a, the cool water inlet port 22 b,the mixed water outlet port 22 c and a hot water inlet port, a coolwater inlet port and a mixed water outlet port of a faucet body notshown in figures.

A disk-shaped first disk 25 made of ceramic is disposed in the cartridgecase 21 to be fitted in and fixed to the packing guide 22. A firstthrough hole 25 a, a second through hole 25 b and a third through hole25 c are formed in the first disk 25 to extend axially, therebycommunicating with the hot water inlet port 22 a, the cool water inletport 22 b and the mixed water outlet port 22 c, respectively. The firstdisk 25 is provided with a groove 25 d at one end face 25′ distancedfrom the packing guide 22. The groove 25 d extends from the firstthrough hole 25 a to the outer peripheral portion of the end face 25′.The end face 25′ is mirror finished. A gasket 26 is disposed to seal thecommunicating parts between the first through hole 25 a, the secondthrough hole 25 b, the third through hole 25 c and the hot water inletport 22 a, the cool water inlet port 22 b, the mixed water outlet port22 c.

An oval-shaped second disk 27 made of ceramic is disposed in thecartridge case 21. The second disk 27 slidably and movably contacts themirror finished end face 25′ of the first disk 25 at a mirror finishedone end face 27′. The end face 27′ is coated with a self-lubricatingmaterial such as DLC (diamond like carbon). The end face 27′ is providedwith a concave 27 a capable of communicating with the first through hole25 a, the second through hole 25 b and the third through hole 25 c ofthe first disk 25.

The other end face 27″ of the second disk 27 is also mirror finished andcoated with a self-lubricating material such as DLC. The end face 27″ isprovided with a concave 27 b.

An annular third disk 28 made of ceramic is disposed in the cartridgecase 21. The third disk 28 is fitted in and fixed to the cartridge case21. An O-ring 23′ seals the contacting part between the innercircumferential surface of the cartridge case 21 and the outercircumferential surface of the third disk 28. An end face 28′ of thethird disk 28 opposite the second disk 27 is mirror finished.

The mirror finished other end face 27″ of the second disk 27 alwayscovers the central opening of the third disk 28 and slidably and movablycontacts the mirror finished end face 28′ of the third disk 28.

A lever 29 made of metal or synthetic resin is inserted in the cartridgecase 21 through the end of the small diameter portion of the cartridgecase 21. The lever 29 is inserted in a cylindrical lever guide 30. Thelever guide 30 fits in the end of the small diameter portion of thecartridge case 21 to slidably and rotatably contact the end of the smalldiameter portion. The lever 29 is connected to the lever guide 30 by apin 31 penetrating the circumferential wall of the lever guide 30 to berotatable around the pin 31. The lever 29 slidably and movably contactsthe circumferential wall of rectangular-shaped central opening of thelever guide 30 at a boss 29 a penetrated by the pin 31.

One end 29 b of the lever 29 inserted in the cartridge case 21 isinserted in the concave 27 b of the second disk 27 through the centralopening of the third disk 28. The end 29 b slidably and movably contactsan adapter 32 made of synthetic resin and fitted in the concave 27 b.The end 29 b engages the concave 27 b through the adapter 32. The end 29b can swing around the pin 31 but cannot rotate relative to the concave27 b around the central axis Y of the concave 27 b.

A closed space 33 is formed radially outside the second disk 27 andbetween the first disk 25 and the third disk 28. The first through hole25 a of the first disk 25 always communicates with the closed space 33through the groove 25 d formed on the end face 25′ of the first disk 25.

Operation of the disk valve B will be described.

In the condition shown in FIG. 3, the concave 27 a communicates with thethird through hole 25 c, but does not communicate with either the firstthrough hole 25 a or the second through hole 25 b. The first throughhole 25 a, the second through hole 25 b and the third through hole 25 care closed by the second disk 27. Hot water supplied from the hot waterinlet port of a faucet body to the first through hole 25 a flows intothe closed space 33 always communicating with the first through hole 25a through the groove 25 d to fill up the closed space 33 with the hotwater. The part of the end face 25′ opposing the closed space 33 alwayscontacts water.

The mirror finished end face 25′ tightly contacts the mirror finishedend face 27′ to seal the slidably and movably contacting part betweenthe first disk 25 and the second disk 27. The hot water charged in thefirst through hole 25 a and the closed space 33, and the cool watercharged in the second through hole 25 b do not flow into the thirdthrough hole 25 c. Therefore, mixed water does not discharge from thedisk valve B into the mixed water outlet port of the faucet body.

The mirror finished end face 27″ tightly contacts the mirror finishedend face 28′ to seal the slidably and movably contacting part betweenthe second disk 27 and the third disk 28. The end face 27″ of the seconddisk 27 always covers the central opening of the third disk 28.Therefore, the hot water charged in the first through hole 25 a and theclosed space 33 does not leak to the end of the small diameter portionof the cartridge case 21 and does not leak from the disk valve B.

When the lever 29 rotates anticlockwise around the pin 31 in FIG. 3, thesecond disk 27 slides relative to the first disk 25 and the third disk28, and the disk valve B comes into the condition shown in FIG. 5. Insaid condition, the concave 27 a communicates with the first throughhole 25 a, the second through hole 25 b and the third through hole 25 c.The hot water supplied to the first through hole 25 a through the hotwater inlet port of the faucet body and the cool water supplied to thesecond through hole 25 b through the cool water inlet port of the faucetbody flow into the third through hole 25 c through the concave 27. Thus,mixed water discharges from the disk valve B into the mixed water outletport of the faucet body. The flow rate of the mixed water dischargingfrom the disk valve B is controlled by controlling the rotating angle ofthe lever 29 around the pin 31.

When the lever 29 rotates around an axis Y1 crossing the central axis ofthe pin 31 at right angles and extending in parallel with the axis Y,the second disk 27 slidably rotates relative to the first disk 25 andthe third disk 28, and the concave 27 a communicates with the firstthrough hole 25 a and the third through hole 25 c. The hot watersupplied to the first through hole 25 a through the hot water inlet portof the faucet body flows into the third through hole 25 c through theconcave 27 a. Thus, the hot water discharges from the disk valve B intothe mixed water outlet port of the faucet body.

When the lever 29 rotates around the axis Y1, the second disk 27slidably rotates relative to the first disk 25 and the third disk 28,and the concave 27 a communicates with the second through hole 25 b andthe third through hole 25 c. The cool water supplied to the secondthrough hole 25 b through the cool water inlet port of the faucet bodyflows into the third through hole 25 c through the concave 27 a. Thus,the cool water discharges from the disk valve B into the mixed wateroutlet port of the faucet body.

When the rotating angle of the lever 29 around the axis Y1 iscontrolled, the degree of overlap between the concave 27 a and the firstthrough hole 25 a is controlled and the degree of overlap between theconcave 27 a and the second through hole 25 b is controlled, whereby themixing ratio of hot water and cool water is controlled to control thetemperature of the mixed water discharging from the disk valve B.

In the disk valve B, no oil is necessary for lubricating the slidablyand movably contacting part between the first disk 25 and the seconddisk 27, and the slidably and movably contacting part between the seconddisk 27 and the third disk 28 because the end face 27′ and 27″ arecoated with a self-lubricating material and the slidably and movablycontacting part between the first disk 25 and the second disk 27, andthe slidably and movably contacting part between the second disk 27 andthe third disk 28 are self-lubricated. Therefore, dispersing of oil intodischarging water is suppressed.

The slidably and movably contacting part between the first disk 25 andthe second disk 27, and the slidably and movably contacting part betweenthe second disk 27 and the third disk 28 are self-lubricated when theyare covered by water films. In the disk valve B, the part of the endface 25′ opposing the closed space 33 and the part of the end face 28′opposing the closed space 33 always contact water because the closedspace 33 always communicating with the first through hole 25 a throughthe groove 25 d is always filled with the water. Therefore, at the sametime as the second disk 27 slides relative to the first disk 25 and thethird disk 28, the slidably and movably contacting part between thefirst disk 25 and the second disk 27, and the slidably and movablycontacting part between the second disk 27 and the third disk 28 arecovered by water films and self-lubricated. Therefore, a small forceapplied to the lever 29 can easily slide the second disk 27 relative tothe first disk 25 and the third disk 28.

When the disk valve B is kept in closed condition for a long time, thesliding resistance when the second disk 27 starts to slide relative tothe first disk 25 and the third disk 28 might be expected to increase ifthe water films covering the sliding contacting parts should bediminished by drying. In the disk valve B, however, the increase of thesliding resistance is prevented for the following reason. The first disk25 is always forced against the second disk 27 by the primary pressure,i.e. the pressure upstream side of the disk valve. In the disk valve B,the primary pressure also always works on the part of the end face 25′of the first disk 25 opposing the closed space 33 to force the firstdisk 25 away from the second disk 27, thereby decreasing the load actingon the slidably and movably contacting part between the first disk 25and the second disk 27, and the load acting on the slidably and movablycontacting part between the second disk 27 and the third disk 28.Therefore, even if the slidably and movably contacting parts lack waterfilms when the second disk 27 starts to slide relative to the first disk25 and the third disk 28, the increase of the sliding resistance issuppressed, and the second disk 27 can easily slide relative to thefirst disk 25 and the third disk 28. As a result, a small force appliedto the lever 29 can easily slide the second disk 27 relative to thefirst disk 25 and the third disk 28.

In the disk valve B, good maneuverability is maintained for a long timebecause the second disk 27 can easily start to slide relative to thefirst disk 25 and the third disk 28, and the slidably and movablycontacting parts among them are covered by water films to beself-lubricated at the same time as the second disk 27 starts to sliderelative to the first disk 25 and the third disk 28.

In the disk valve B, the closed space 33 is formed between the firstdisk 25 slidably and movably contacting the second disk 27 and the thirddisk 28 slidably and movably contacting the second disk 27. Therefore,the closed space 33 can be sealed easily and leakage of water from theclosed space 33, especially leakage of water from the closed space 33 tothe small diameter portion of the cartridge case 21 can be easilyprevented by mirror finishing the end faces 25′, 27′, 27″, 28′ to sealthe slidably and movably contacting parts between the second disk 27 andthe first disk 25, and the second disk 27 and the third disk 28.

Primary pressure works in the closed spaces 14 and 33. Therefore, thecartridge cases 1 and 21 opposing the closed spaces 14 and 33 aredesirably made of high strength material such as PPS (polyphenylenesulfide), PTFE (polytetrafuluoroethylene), PEEK (poly ether etherketone), PSU (polysulfone), or the like. PPS is markedly desirablebecause it can be used for various purposes.

The disk valves A, B can be used for a single lever water combinationfaucet, wherein a single lever is swung and rotated to control thetemperature and the flow rate of discharging water.

It is possible to delete the cool water inlet ports 2 b, 22 b, and thesecond through holes 5 b, 25 b, disable rotations of the levers 9, 29around the axes X1, Y1, allow control of the degree of overlap betweenthe concaves 7 a, 27 a and the first through holes 5 a, 25 a only, andconnect the hot water inlet ports 2 a, 22 a to the cool water inlet portof a faucet body. Then, the disk valves A, B can be used in a waterfaucet in witch a lever is swung to adjust the flow rate of thedischarging cool water.

The second through holes 5 b, 25 b can be always communicated with theclosed spaces 14, 33 through the grooves formed on the end faces 5′,25′.

When hot water is supplied to the first through holes 5 a, 25 a from anelectrical water heater, etc., a pressure reducing valve is disposedupstream of the first through holes 5 a, 25 a. Therefore, even if thefirst through holes 5 a, 25 a are always communicated with the closedspaces 14, 33, only low pressures of hot water cancel each other betweenthe opposite end faces of the first disks 5, 25 and high pressures ofcool water do not cancel each other. As a result, the load acting on theslidably and movably contacting parts between the first disks 5, 25 andthe second disks 7, 27 are not decreased so much. Therefore, whenpressure reducing valves are disposed upstream of the first throughholes 5 a, 25 a, the second through holes 5 b, 25 b are desirably alwayscommunicated with the closed spaces 14, 33.

The first through holes 5 a, 25 a need not necessarily oppose the closedspaces 14, 33 through the grooves 5 d, 25 d. The first through holes 5a, 25 a can be designed to always oppose the closed spaces 14, 33 at apart of the end opening to the end faces 5′, 25′.

The first through hole 5 a and the second through hole 5 b can be alwayscommunicated with the closed space 14. The first through hole 25 a andthe second through hole 25 b can be always communicated with the closedspace 33. In these cases, a check valve is desirably disposed upstreamof each through hole to prevent back flow from one through hole to theother.

The second disk 7 can be provided with a through hole instead of theconcave 7 a. In this case, the contacting part between the gripper 8 andthe second disk 7 should be provided with an O-ring or the like, aroundthe hole to seal the contacting part around the hole.

A little oil such as silicon grease can be applied on the centralportion of the end face 27″ of the second disk 27. When the second disk27 starts to slide relative to the first disk 25 and the third disk 28after the disk valve B has been closed for a long time, the slidingresistance between the second disk 27 and the third disk 28 isdecreased. Thus, the second disk 27 can easily slide relative to thefirst disk 25 and the third disk 28. The oil scarcely disperses into thewater passing through the disk valve B because the central portion ofthe end face 27″ of the second disk 27 does not directly contact thewater passing through the disk valve B.

As shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to delete the groove 25 d on the endface 25′ and form a cutout or opening 27 a′ in a part of thecircumferential wall of the concave 27 a. When the concave 27 acommunicates with the first through hole 25 a and/or the second throughhole 25 b, hot water and/or cool water flows into the closed space 33through the cutout or opening 27 a′ to be stored there, thereby wettingthe part of the end faces 25′ and 28′ opposing the closed space 33. As aresult, at the same time as the second disk 27 slides relative to thefirst disk 25 and the third disk 28, the slidably and movably contactingpart between the first disk 25 and the second disk 27, and the slidablyand movably contacting part between the second disk 27 and the thirddisk 28 are covered by water films and self-lubricated. When the diskvalve B is kept in closed condition for a long time, the hot waterand/or the cool water in the closed space 33 flows out the disk valve Bthrough the cutout or opening 27 a′, the concave 27 a, the third throughhole 25 c and the mixed water outlet port 22 c. However, it is possibleto retain the hot water and/or the cool water in the closed space 33 bydecreasing the cross sectional area of the cutout or opening 27 a′,thereby keeping the part of the end face 25′ and 28′ opposing the closedspace 33 in wet condition.

As shown in FIG. 7, when applying a little oil to the central portion ofthe end face 27″ of the second disk 27 in the disk valve B, it ispossible to place a second closed space 34 formed in the cartridge case21 adjacent to the closed space 33 and separated from the closed space33 by the second disk 27 and the third disk 28 into communication withthe space outside the cartridge case 21 through a small diameter hole 30a operating as an oil supply passage formed in the circumferential wallof the lever guide 30 and penetrating the circumferential wall of thelever guide 30 in the longitudinal direction.

The disk valve B is assembled with a faucet body 100 of a single leverwater combination faucet. A faucet lever 101 is connected to the lever29. When the disk valve B is assembled with a faucet body 100 of asingle lever water combination faucet, the lever guide 30 is exposed tothe open space outside the faucet body 100 at the end face where thesmall diameter hole 30 a opens.

It is possible to supply the second closed space 34 with oil from theopen space outside the cartridge case 21 through the small diameter hole30 a, thereby supplying the central portion of the end face 27″ of thesecond disk 27 with oil through the central opening of the third disk28. Therefore, the disk valve B can be used for a long time withoutsuffering from lack of oil.

When the disk valve B is assembled with a faucet body 100 of a singlelever water combination faucet, the lever guide 30 is exposed to theopen space outside the faucet body 100 at the end face where the smalldiameter hole 30 a opens. Therefore, the second closed space 34 can besupplied with oil from the open space outside the cartridge case 21through the small diameter hole 30 a, without taking the disk valve Bout of the faucet body 100. Therefore, the disk valve B can be easilysupplied with oil.

A water faucet comprising disk valve A or B can suppress the dispersionof oil into the discharging water and keep high maneuverability for along time.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY OF THE INVENTION

The disk valve in accordance with the present invention can be used forsingle lever water combination faucets, water faucets, etc.

1. A disk valve comprising an inlet port, an outlet port, a first diskprovided with a first through hole communicating with the inlet port andextending axially and a second through hole communicating with theoutlet port and extending axially, and a second disk provided with aconcave capable of communicating with the first through hole and thesecond through hole of the first disk on one end face and slidably andmovably contacting one end face of the first disk at the one end face,wherein a closed space is formed radially outside the second disk, andthe second disk slides relative to the first disk to adjust the degreeof overlap between the concave of the second disk and the first throughhole of the first disk, and wherein the slidably and movably contactingpart between the first disk and the second disk is self-lubricated,further comprising a communication passage for always placing the firstthrough hole into communication with the closed space radially outsidethe second disk, and wherein a portion of the one end face of the firstdisk adjacent to the part slidably and movably contacting the seconddisk opposes the closed space and the communication passage is a grooveformed on the one end face of the first disk.
 2. (canceled)
 3. A diskvalve comprising an inlet port, an outlet port, a first disk providedwith a first through hole communicating with the inlet port andextending axially and a second through hole communicating with theoutlet port and extending axially, and a second disk provided with aconcave capable of communicating with the first through hole and thesecond through hole of the first disk on one end face and slidably andmovably contacting one end face of the first disk at the one end face,wherein a closed space is formed radially outside the second disk, andthe second disk slides relative to the first disk to adjust the degreeof overlap between the concave of the second disk and the first throughhole of the first disk, and wherein the slidably and movably contactingpart between the first disk and the second disk is self-lubricated,further comprising a communication passage for always placing the firstthrough hole into communication with the closed space radially outsidethe second disk, and wherein a portion of the one end face of the firstdisk adjacent to the part slidably and movably contacting the seconddisk opposes the closed space and the communication passage is a part ofthe end portion of the first through hole formed in the first disk atthe side of the one end face of the first disk.
 4. A disk valve of claim1, further comprising an annular third disk slidably and movablycontacting the other end face of the second disk at one end face,wherein the second disk contacts the third disk to always cover thecentral opening of the third disk and slides relative to the third disk,the slidably and movably contacting part between the second disk and thethird disk is self-lubricated, and a part of the one end face of thethird disk adjacent to the part slidably and movably contacting thesecond disk opposes the closed space.
 5. A disk valve comprising aninlet port, and outlet port, a first disk provided with a first throughhole communicating with the inlet port and extending axially and asecond through hole communicating with the outlet port and extendingaxially, and a second disk provided with a concave capable ofcommunicating with the first through hole and the second through hole ofthe first disk on one end face and sliably and movably contacting oneend face of the first disk at the one end face, wherein a closed spaceis formed radially outside the second disk, and the second disk slidesrelative to the first disk to adjust the degree of overlap between theconcave of the second disk and the first through hole of the first disk,further comprising an annular third disk slidably and movably contactingthe other end face of the second disk at one end face, wherein thesecond disk contacts the third disk to always cover the central openingof the third disk and slides relative to the third disk, the slidablyand movably contacting part between the first disk and the second diskand the slidably and movably contacting part between the second disk andthird disk are self-lubricated, a portion of the one end face of thefirst disk adjacent to the part slidably and movably contacting thesecond disk and a portion of the one end face of the third disk adjacentto the part slidably and movably contacting the second disk oppose theclosed space, and a communication passage is formed in the side wall ofthe concave of the second disk to place the concave into communicationwith the closed space.
 6. A disk valve of claim 4, further comprising alever that passes through the central opening of the third disk toengage the second disk and a casing for accommodating the first disk,second disk and the third disk, wherein a second closed space is formedin the casing adjacent to the closed space radially outside the seconddisk and separated from the closed space radially outside the seconddisk by the second disk and the third disk, and further comprising anoil supply passage for placing the second closed space intocommunication with the open space outside the casing.
 7. A disk valve ofclaim 6, wherein the oil supply passage is formed in a portion of thedisk valve exposed to the space outside a faucet body with which thedisk valve is assembled.
 8. A disk valve of claim 1, wherein the inletport is provided with a hot water inlet port and a cool water inlet portwhich are independent of each other, the first through hole of the firstdisk is provided with a hole communicating with the hot water inlet portand a hole communicating with the cool water inlet port, the concave ofthe second disk is capable of communicating with the hole of the firstdisk communicating with the hot water inlet port and the hole of thefirst disk communicating with the cool water inlet port, the second diskslides relative to the first disk to adjust the degree of overlapbetween the concave of the second disk and the hole of the first diskcommunicating with the hot water inlet port and the degree of overlapbetween the concave of the second disk and the hole of the first diskcommunicating with the cool water inlet port, and the communicationpassage for placing the first through hole of the first disk intocommunication with the closed space radially outside the second diskplaces the hole of the first disk communicating with the hot water inletport and, optionally, the hole of the first disk communicating with thecool water inlet port into communication with the closed space radiallyoutside the second disk.
 9. A water faucet comprising the disk valve ofclaim 1.